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Christmas abounds in this book from yule log traditions to a ceremonial Winter Solstice bonfire (complete with Druids), a town sing-along, Christmas Eve dinner, and "more is more" decorations. The author even works in that Russian fairy tale, The Snow Maiden. There are a lot of characters to juggle, too, with Mercy's extended family and all her friends, which Munier handles well. But I felt like the mystery itself got a bit overshadowed by it all. And their murder investigation didn't feel as tautly plotted or as compelling as in her earlier novels. That's not to say I didn't enjoy this one, because I did. Mercy and Troy and their dogs are engaging characters and I like the quirks and charms of their small Vermont community. I just didn't love the mystery as much as I usually do. (Though I'd still give it 4 stars.) And if you want that Christmas-in-Vermont setting, this is the book!
Happy Reading!
Other Munier books I've reviewed:
Non ho mail letto nulla di questo autore; mi hai incuriosita leggendo che appena esce un libro lo leggi.
ReplyDeleteVado a informarmi
Thank you for commenting! :D
DeleteThere are a couple of my mystery book group members who love this series. Will make sure to tell them that there is a new book. I've had this series on my list for quite a while. Maybe this year? LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's worth checking out...if you can fit it in with all the other series you read and like. ;D
DeleteHave a beautiful day.
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Thank you, Regine!
DeleteI'm so terrible at keeping up with series. I wish I could be better.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard, especially if you're reading a lot of series and all the authors have new books coming out all at once. It can be overwhelming...and hard to keep track.
DeleteThis sounds great! I love long running series like this! The series been on my list for a while, but hopefully I can get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteYou would definitely like the dogs! :D
DeleteThis is another series I have on my list of "want to reads" but I've somehow never gotten to it. Maybe 2026 will be the year!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! It's a really good series. Even if you just read the first book.
DeleteI have a couple of series that I feel the same way about.
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this installment, even with the minor issues you mentioned. Christmas-in-Vermont setting sounds nice! I'm awful with series books, I really have to be in the mood for them.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard to keep up with series, or to stick with them. I have about seven that I do really well with, and twice that many that I've fallen hopelessly behind in. ;D
DeleteI think I'd read this just for the dogs! I'll have to take a closer look at this series, it sounds really good😁
ReplyDeleteThe dogs are awesome, and definitely one of the main reasons I keep coming back to this one. :D
DeleteI'm glad you ended up enjoying this one.
ReplyDelete:D It's one of my favorite series.
DeleteHow have I not read this series? I love a good mystery series and this one has dogs. I'll definitely have to pick up the first book soon.
ReplyDeleteDo! It's worth checking out. And the characters are so great; I think you'll really like them. :D
DeleteI have this book at my library, but I haven't read it yet. I think I won it from a Goodreads giveaway or something like that. I don't read many mysteries but I might give this author a try. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And if you have time, read her first book A Borrowing of Bones before you read this one.
DeleteThis series sounds really good and I love the wintery setting. I find that I am not ready to say goodbye to the Christmas spirit. And books set in cold climates can bring it back.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to let go of Christmas. So this book would be good to read because it's full of Christmas-y things. :D
DeleteThis sounds like the perfect winter read! The series as a whole seems to be really popular as well. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to enjoy it even with the mystery getting overshadowed a bit. Sometimes you want to tell the authors to focus on one thing, not so many ;)
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